One of the great things about zombie media is how it reflects a more tense version of daily life. Shaun of the Dead joked that teenagers were zombies even before some kind of fantastic outbreak. Anyone that's ever worked in a cubicle or did customer service might feel like a zombie. I know you do in retail. It goes much further than the monotony, though. Zombie stories make us question who we really are and the choices we'd make without rules, laws, cops, guardians, parents, or guides. Who are we if we were thrust into a war and had to defend ourselves?

But there's something that I just realized the other day and has been sticking in my mind. Something that not a lot of people really talk about, but is kind of mind blowing: Zombie continuity. From "Dawn of the Dead" to "Walking Dead", numerous zombie stories use the same enemy but without giving any sort of revelation or explanation about the cause of infection or what the infection even is. If there is one...

You know what that means?!

The in-story continuity allows for all of these stories to fit in the same world. The Walking Dead(comics), The Walking Dead(game), Shaun of the Dead (yes, the military comes at the end, but how do we know that this wasn't the first outbreak?), Resident Evil movies, Dawn of the Dead, 28 Days Later, World War Z, etc. Same time, same event, same crisis. And even if a vague explanation of what "virus" or whatever caused the infection IS given, it could just mean that those characters are wrong, or maybe it's one aspect of what, globally, caused these events to occur.

If we go down that line of thinking, technically vampire films all exist in the same worlds as well. For instance, what specifically proves that Buffy and True Blood don't exist in the same universe? Hell the film "Cabin in the Woods" could take place during Angel, which could be in the future time period of True Blood.

Obviously, this isn't part of the plan and if we debate "canon", it is not official However, it's sort of interesting to think that while Jill Valentine was fighting zombies with Alice, Rick is trying to figure out what to do with Shane. And if you wonder what europe was like during that time period, 28 Days Later gives you a peak. And there are plenty of other films I can't think of right now that likely all fit in to make one larger outlining horror universe!

Batman is more than a man in a suit. He's more than a superhero in Gotham fighting crime. He's a symbol that inspires in the real world. For people to know not to fear, to know that they can hold on, that they can turn their pain into something useful. "I'm Batman!" Is the real world Spartacus cry. Try it one day, if you don't believe me...If you're working out and need to lift just once more--just scream "I'M BATMAN!!". If you have to get somewhere on time and you're running a few minutes late, just say "I'm Batman" before you drive off. If your professor asks where your homework is...You know what to say...

And each film leaves us with one more thing to remember about Batman and to apply it to future films. Adam West taught us that Batman has a heart. Michael Keaton reminded us of the darker side. Val Kilmer brought back the action. George Clooney reminded us to have fun with the character. And Christian Bale showed us that Batman can be all of those things and yet also taken seriously as a character. But he also left us with the iconic voice of Batman.

See, something a lot of people forget is that wearing a mask doesn't change your voice. And if you're a world famous party boy, then people will recognize your voice. It needs to be different than your normal talking voice. And Christian Bale is the first actor to really do that besides Kevin Conroy, who, while an iconic Batman, had the luxury of music and a cartoon form to transform between characters.

This is a movement--a petition--for Ben Affleck to keep what people have called "The Batgrowl". And while it's easy to make fun of, it's iconic and fun and not something that should be thrown away so soon. It is very much a current representation of Batman. Are we, as a generation, so concerned with nostalgia and rebooting everything so quickly that we can't allow anything current to last? Can we just allow the things that exist now to be nostalgic for younger generations later?

But the Batgrowl is how Batman should sound. What he should say should be important too, and here comes the Full Circle Moment you've been waiting for..."I'm batman". It's not as much an introduction as it is what I said before, a battlecry. We are all Batman. And if Ben Affleck is to be Batman, those are two requirements, that don't ruin their plans or change much and it's not too late for it to be incorporated.

If you don't have much to say just say "Signed" in the comments below.

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It was recently announced that The Deadpool Movie is officially on for a February 16th, 2016 release date. And the popularity of the character has only risen since he first appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Comic fans are learning to share some of the more interesting or obscure characters that were once limited to only geek conversations. There was a time where Deadpool was popular, but largely unheard of.

So what makes him popular? IGN spoke to their opinions on that, so I won't waste time hypothesizing. I think they hit the nail on the head; he's funny and people like to laugh. Also, he's one of the only characters that can turn the industry on it's head and poke fun at tropes and cliches, in-comic. Despite this popularity, I think the movie is a mistake. And much like the game, people think they want something but don't consider what it takes to make it.

Deadpool is a comic book character who is aware of his existence. Meaning he knows he is in a film. Breaking the fourth wall is not as funny or intriguing as people act like it is, when it's a character they like. It's like a popular comedian doing stand-up and telling jokes that made them famous. Sure, they might be good jokes, but it reminds you that they're just doing a job. It takes you out of the stand-up. And a character constantly looking into the camera or acknowledging their comic origins or the actors playing them, takes one out of the story of the film.

This is cool because it's Deadpool--fans have been waiting for a film and this teaser is great--but it's actually kind of annoying. He talks too much and the jokes aren't clever, witty or funny, but come across like recycled Looney Tunes jokes. A teaser is one thing, but if the film is anything like this, it will grow old after the first half hour. We need to remember Deadpool the way he was first created, not the Flanderized characterization he's become. Deadpool is a talented, incredibly skilled assassin first. We need a solid story BEFORE we get to punchlines and jokes.

Let's also remember that in the filmverse, there is no Spider-Man or Avengers. Fox only has the Fantastic Four and X-Men to work with. So if we get some cameos, that would boost interest in the film. Hugh Jackman said he loved playing Wolverine, so he'd be a great cameo. It would also be a great way to show this world is an actual [established] world, despite the insanity of what Deadpool is saying. If the plot is not grounded, then the entire movie has no purpose. And if there's no purpose, why make the film?

Alternatively, if the film has a solid story, if we have cameos to show that Deadpool exists in the same world as the X-Men, then it's possible to maintain a sense of urgency and importance in Deadpool's mission. The world will have lasting effects from his adventure, and maybe even can lead into other stories such as Age of Apocalypse.